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Hazleton cops collar felon they say sold drugs, tried to run

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Undercover officers were watching as a man sold drugs and then — recognizing police were in the area of the alleged sale — attempted to flee, Hazleton police detectives said Tuesday night.

The city’s narcotics detectives were in the area of Third Street and Garibaldi Court around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when they witnessed the drug transaction, according to information provided by police, but the dealer recognized one of the vehicles used by undercover officers and took off on foot.

Police Chief Jerry Speziale said that during the pursuit Detective Lt. Jason Zola saw the suspect, later identified as Jeffery Jorge, 29, toss a handgun into a yard. Zola, Detective Cpl. Kevin Wagner and other officers caught up with the dealer and arrested him without incident, Speziale said.

After securing the alleged dealer who turned out to be a known felon, they recovered a loaded Glock semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number, police said.

The gun will be sent for testing to determine if it’s connected to any crimes. Investigators will also try to restore the serial number to determine its origin.

The Glock handgun in question is popular with law enforcement agencies. Police officers across the U.S. are equipped with this 15-round .40 caliber pistol.

Police said they planned to take Jorge to Luzerne County Correctional Facility, Wilkes-Barre, for overnight arraignment.

He faces felony charges that include possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturers number, firearms not to be carried without a license, and possession of firearm prohibited.

In 2013, Jorge pleaded guilty to a drug delivery charge filed against him by Hazleton police, according to arrest records. He did jail time for that crime, court documents show.

— AMANDA CHRISTMAN

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